With the All-Star break in the rear-view mirror we dive back into the NBA betting odds for a slew of matchups tonight, highlighted by one of the league’s hottest (and most exciting teams) as Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies head to Sacramento to take on the Kings.
Our analyst Monique Vag sizes up the NBA betting lines, including pointspreads, totals and props, and gives her best predictions for Thursday’s NBA action.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS AT DETROIT PISTONS
MISMATCH IN MOTOWN
The Bucks are 13-point road favorites as they take on the Pistons. Milwaukee has won 10 straight in the head-to-head versus Detroit, and has covered the spread eight times throughout that stretch.
With the Pistons slumping offensively losing eight of their last 10 games and being held under 100 points four times throughout that stretch, expect Milwaukee to take care of business and cover the large spread on the road.
MIAMI HEAT AT ATLANTA HAWKS
HEAT COOLING OFF?
The Heat are 6.5-point favorites as they travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks. Miami has won three straight in the head-to-head by an average score of 117-105.
Before the break, the Heat had some offensive struggles shooting under 45 percent in seven of their last 10 games. The Hawks on the other hand have averaged 123.7 points over their last three games and are capable of keeping things close. Take the Hawks getting 6.5-points.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS AT CHICAGO BULLS
LACK OF FIREPOWER
The lowest game total of the night is set at 211 between the Bulls and Hornets. These are two of the lower scoring teams in the Association with Chicago ranking 25th with 106.4 points a game, and the Hornets dead last with 102.9.
The Bulls are still too shorthanded to trust, with Lauri Markannen, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. among several other players still listed as out on the injury report. The Hornets have not been able to find an offensive groove, being held to 100 points or fewer in seven of their last 10. Look for both teams to continue to struggle putting up points, and bet Under the game total of 211.
BROOKLYN NETS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
FILLING AN OFFENSIVE VOID
Brooklyn’s Caris LeVert has finally started to round back into form after missing some time away due to injury. He’s logged 20 or more points in four of his last five games and has attempted 20 field goals three times throughout that stretch.
With Kyrie Irving out of the lineup with a shoulder injury and LeVert shooting well, expect a big impact on the offensive end versus the 76ers today. The volume of attempts will surely be there, so take the Over 17.5 on his points total.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES AT SACRAMENTO KINGS
SLOW OUT OF THE GATE
The Grizzlies have won eight of their last 10 games overall and 10 of their last 12 versus Western Conference opponents. Despite their recent success, they are only 1.5-point road favorites tonight against the Kings.
Expect points to be difficult to come by early on, as both teams have gotten off to slow starts recently. The Grizzlies, who are typically high scoring, average only 53.8 first half points away from home, while the Kings put up just 52.3 first half ppg at home – ranking them 27th overall. Look for another slow start out of both sides, and bet Under the first half total of 112.5.
